Italy head coach Roberto Mancini has held talks with Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa and said the player must regain his fitness before he can be considered for an international return.
Chiesa has made just one substitute appearance for the Reds this season, playing the final two minutes of their 3-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester City. He has been included in only three matchday squads by head coach Andoni Iraola.
Fitness struggles and limited game time
The 29-year-old missed the start of the campaign with a back injury suffered in pre-season and was left out of Liverpool's 25-man squad for the Champions League league phase.
Since returning against City, he has been left out of the matchday squad for three of Liverpool's last four Premier League matches and was an unused substitute in the League Cup victory over Chelsea.
Reduced role under Iraola
Chiesa joined Liverpool from Juventus in the summer of 2024 for £10m. Under former head coach Arne Slot he made 50 appearances, scoring five goals and providing four assists, but started only nine times.
His opportunities have diminished further under Iraola, who has preferred to give game time to youngster Lewis Koumas. With Hugo Ekitike due to return from an Achilles injury midway through the campaign, Chiesa is likely to fall further down the pecking order.
International prospects
Chiesa was a key player for Mancini during Italy's Euro 2020 triumph, but he has not played for his country since their round-of-16 exit from Euro 2024, often declining call-ups under former manager Gennaro Gattuso.
Mancini said: "As far as Federico is concerned, I have already spoken with Federico several times, including recently. Right now, he isn't playing and needs to regain his fitness and get back into shape. But he is a 29-year-old player, still in the prime of his physical maturity, so I believe he can return with us very soon."
